Harishchandragad Trek - Clouds Special

Harishchandragad via Paachnai in Ahmednagar District is a popular route for reaching the fort. This trail is considered the shortest and easiest, making it suitable for trekkers of all ages, including beginners.

To reach the top of Harishchandragad, there are multiple trails from different starting points. The fort is known for its prominent caves, including the Kedareshwar cave, which is famous for its Shiva lingam. Another notable feature is the Harishchandreshwar temple, built on basalt rock. The highest peak on the fort is Taramati, standing at an elevation of 1429 meters.

During the pre-monsoon season, particularly towards the end of May, there is a high probability of witnessing a cloud cover in front of Kokankada and the special attraction is a circular rainbow created due to a shadow of an object, also called as Indravajra. Kokankada is a concave-shaped cliff that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. Seeing the cloud cover at Kokankada during this time is considered one of the rarest and most scenic experiences for trekkers.

Highlights:

• Attractions of HCG like Kedareshwar cave, pushkarini talav, Ganesh Mandir.
• The mighty Konkan kada.
• Sunrise from Taramati Peak.
• Indravarja*
• Fireflies sighting*
• Delicious local cuisine.

Trek facts:

• Grade: Easy
• Endurance: Low
• Total trek Distance: 9KM. Approx
• Highest Elevation:1118M
• Base Village: Paachnai

Itinerary:

Day 1

• Reporting time at Kasara - 07:15PM (Board the 04:50PM CSMT - Kasara Fast local train in Central line).
• Dinner Break on the highway.
• Road journey from Kasara to Paachnai village by hired vehicle – 2 ½  hours.
• Ascent trek to Harishchandragad - 2 ½ hours approx.
• Rest for the day at villager's hut.

Day 2:

• Wake-up call – 05:00 AM.
• Ascent trek to Taramati Peak-1 hour approx.
• Visit Harishchandragad Kokankada - 1 hour.
• Fresh up and breakfast – 1 hour.
• Explore the Harishchandragad attractions – 90 minutes approx.
• Descend trek to Base village – 2 hours.
• Lunch Break at Paachnai Village.
• Return journey by hired vehicle from Paachnai village.

Price:₹1600

Included

✔ Travel from Kasara by a private hired jeep.

✔Breakfast & Veg Lunch on Day 2.

✔ Forest entry fee/ permits.

✔ Our Expertise

Excluded

✘ Dinner on Day1, Snacks break during travel or any personal expenses

Registration Process:

Step 1: Book Your Seat

• Visit the event website and book your seat by completing the registration process.

Step 2: Fill Mandatory Disclaimer Form

• After payment confirmation, participants will receive a participation disclaimer form.
• Fill up the form accurately to provide necessary information.
• Compliance with the disclaimer is mandatory for participation.

Step 3: WhatsApp Group Creation

• A WhatsApp group will be created in the evening on the day of the trek departure.
• All registered participants will be added to the group.
• This group serves as a platform for communication, updates, and coordination among participants.

Trek Checklist

Clothing and Footwear:

• Trekking/Hiking Shoes: Sturdy shoes with a strong grip, suitable for the terrain.
• Full Sleeve Quick Dry Shirt/T-shirt: Quick-dry fabric helps keep you dry and comfortable.
• Full-Length Hiking Trousers: Protects your legs from scratches and insect bites.

Things to carry in Rucksack:

• Water: Minimum 2 litres to stay well-hydrated during the trek.
• Cap/Hat: Protects your head and face from the sun.
• Food Items: Fruits, dry fruits, energy bars, and healthy snacks provide sustenance.
• Toiletry Kit: Basic hygiene items like soap, toothpaste, and sunscreen lotion.
• Bedding: Carry a sleeping bag/ blankets to rest at the campsite, Harishchandragad.
• Extra Set of Clothes: Useful in case you get wet or need to change.
• Extra Pair of Socks: Keep your feet dry and comfortable.
• Flip-Flops: During Travel & the campsite.
• Hiking Pole: Provides stability and support, especially on uneven terrain.
• Personal Medicines: Carry necessary medications and a basic first aid kit.
• Identity Proof: Carry a valid Government ID proof.

Trek Disclaimer:

• Mandatory Disclaimer Form:Accurate details in the online disclaimer form are mandatory. Inaccurate details will require refilling; no exceptions will be made.
• ID Card Requirement:Participants must bring an ID card for safety purposes.
• Punctuality:Respect the schedule and other participants' time; avoid causing delays.
• Parental Consent for Under 18:Participants under 18 years old must have parental consent to participate.
• Itinerary Modifications/Cancellations:Participants will be informed in advance about any itinerary changes or event cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Weather and Organizer Authority:We have the right to cancel, postpone, or relocate the event due to unexpected weather changes.
• Expense Responsibility:Participants are responsible for expenses not mentioned in the event fees.
• Misconduct and Prohibited Activities:Misconduct will not be tolerated. Strictly no alcohol consumption, smoking, or any kind of intoxication. Participants must refrain from playing loud music or teasing animals during the trek.
• Personal Hygiene:Avoid using deodorant or perfume on the trek day. Strictly adhere to Leave No Trace principles; do not litter plastic.
• Facility Information:a basic washroom facility is inadeuate. Participants should exercise caution when hiking through forest areas.
• Fireflies sighting and Indravarja or clouds formation is based on weather conditions, we aren’t responsible if there is change in the weather pattern that may impact the sighting.
• Team Ramblersindia or the trek leader at the site may not be held responsible if the entry is closed by local authorities or governing bodies. In such cases, the trek leaders will make efforts to select an alternate nearby location for the participants. The preferences of the participants will be taken into consideration when determining the alternative location.
• Group Coordination and Cooperation: Participants should coordinate, maintain discipline, and work together as a team. Appreciate cooperative behaviour with fellow participants.
• Safety Disclaimer:While safety is a priority, the Ramblersindia team and designated trek leaders are not responsible for severe injuries or fatalities.
• Personal Belongings: We are not responsible for personal losses such as theft or damage to personal belongings. Participants are usually expected to take personal responsibility for their belongings and exercise caution to prevent such incidents.
• Payment and Registration:Participants are responsible for bearing convenience fees charged by payment gateways. 

Payment Policy:

• Third-Party Payment Gateways: We utilise third-party payment gateways to simplify the registration process. The convenience fee, along with the main event fee, is included and will be displayed at checkout. This fee is to be borne by the customer.
• Manual Payment Option: Participants have the option to make a manual payment for their ticket. This might involve transferring funds via UPI (Unified Payments Interface) or NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) referencing a provided transaction ID or reference. The manual payment option is valid for only one hour from the time the ticket is marked as unpaid. This means participants have a limited window to complete the payment process.If the participant fails to make the payment within the specified time frame, the order will be automatically marked as cancelled.
• Transaction Confirmation: Participants paying through UPI/NEFT to our current account (where the convenience fee is nil) must provide the transaction reference via email/WhatsApp for confirmation.
• Service Availment: No concessions or discounts will be provided if participants choose not to avail of specific services offered during the event.
• Withdrawal: If a participant withdraws from the event after registration, carry forward of the amount is not available. Refunds will be provided as per the refund policy in place at the time of withdrawal.

Refund Policy:

• Refund Medium: Refunds will be processed through the same medium the payment has been made.
• Processing Time: Refund will be issued only on the Event Date or Next Business day. Refunds may take between 3 to 10 working days to be processed. If the amount hasn't been refunded within this period, the paid recipient needs to check with the payment gateway support for assistance.
• UPI and Current Account Payments: Refunds will be Issued on the Event Date or Next Business day, it will be processed within 2 days and transferred to the UPI ID if paid through UPI or transferred to our current account. We will be requesting either the UPI ID or Bank Account Details to process the refund.
• Refund can't be issued to the Payment wallet or Phone number, Only UPI ID is valid.
• Refund Issuance: Refunds will not be issued in cash or coupons unless agreed upon with the participant. A refund will not be processed on weekends due to unavailability of the team.
• Exclusion of Convenience Fee: Refunds exclude the convenience fee. This is applicable for those who paid through third-party channels or payment gateways, which includes an extra convenience fee. For instance, if the event price is 1000 and the convenience fee is 5%, making the total paid amount 1050, during the refund, only the event fee of 1000 will be considered, excluding the convenience fee.
• Refund Percentages:60% refund for cancellation three days or more before the event. 50% refund for cancellation two days before the event. 40% refund for cancellation one day before the event. 30% refund on the day of the event. No refund for a no-show.
• Event Cancellation: Full event fee will be refunded if the event is cancelled, excluding the convenience fee.